IAC 2022: Graduate Student Nicole Pallotta Presents on Binary Asteroid Formation

Several weeks ago, Nicole Pallota, M.S. Candidate, traveled to Paris, France to present at the 73rd annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC), hosted by the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES). Every year, the IAC brings together over 6,000 government officials, researchers, and industry officials to confer regarding the state and future of space exploration and understanding. She presented her research entitled “Formation Analysis of the Didymos -Dimorphos Binary System,'' which entailed using granular models of asteroid collision events or spin-up due to YORP to recreate the formation scenario of the Didymos-Dipmorphos binary system.

When asked about her experience, Nicole commented “I was very excited to be able to attend the International Astronautical Congress this year in Paris. It was both my first time in France, and my first time presenting at a conference, so it felt very rewarding to be able to do both on the same trip… I was most excited to hear the talks about the DART and Hera missions, as the conference took place the week before the DART spacecraft impacted Dimorphos.”

Outside of presenting, Nicole was able to visit exhibitors at the conference and hear from speakers such as Bill Nye. During her free time, she was able to do some sightseeing in Paris. She said her favorite part was “watching the Eiffel Tower light up at night from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.”

To read more about Nicole’s research, check out her paper.

N.A. Pallotta, M.C.F. Bazzocchi, “Formation Analysis of the Didymos-Dimorphos Binary Asteroid System,” 73rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Paris, France, Sep. 18-22, 2022.